Mongolia · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Mongolia
These are the places worth your time in Mongolia, from the monasteries and museums of Ulaanbaatar to the granite valleys of Terelj, the old capital at Kharkhorin, the dunes of the Gobi, Lake Khuvsgul and the Kazakh west. Classics sit beside quiet corners few travellers ever see, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Ulaanbaatar
Arts and Culture
- Gandan Monastery (Bayangol)
The country's main Buddhist monastery, with a towering standing Buddha and morning chanting you can quietly watch. - Chinggis Khaan National Museum (Sukhbaatar)
A big modern museum telling Mongolia's story from the Stone Age through the empire to today. - Choijin Lama Temple Museum (Sukhbaatar)
A cluster of early twentieth century temples full of masks, thangkas and statues, surrounded by tower blocks. - Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan (Khan-Uul)
The last Mongolian king's palace and temples, with his throne, robes and a ger lined with snow leopard skins. - Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs (Sukhbaatar)
Home to the famous Tarbosaurus skeleton and fossils found in the Gobi. - Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts (Chingeltei)
Exquisite gilded bronzes by the seventeenth century sculptor and saint Zanabazar. - National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet (Sukhbaatar)
The pink Soviet era opera house on the square, with ballet and opera at very reasonable ticket levels. - International Intellectual Museum (Bayanzurkh)
A quirky museum of Mongolian puzzles and wooden games. - Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery (Sukhbaatar)
Twentieth century and contemporary Mongolian painting, from socialist realism to today. - Dashchoilin Monastery (Sukhbaatar)
A monastery set in former circus buildings, with welcoming monks. - National Museum of Mongolia (Chingeltei)
Costumes, jewellery and nomad history across several floors.
Things to Do
- Chinggis Khaan Square (Sukhbaatar)
The city's grand central square, framed by the parliament building and its giant seated Chinggis Khaan statue. - Zaisan Memorial (Khan-Uul)
A hilltop Soviet era monument with a sweeping view over the whole city and the Tuul valley. - Tumen Ekh Ensemble (Sukhbaatar)
An evening show of throat singing, morin khuur fiddle, contortion and masked dances. - Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue (Tsonjin Boldog)
A giant stainless steel horseman you can climb, an easy trip from the capital. - Hustai National Park (Tuv Province)
Watch reintroduced wild takhi horses at dusk, a short drive from the capital. - Ulaanbaatar Peace Avenue walk (Sukhbaatar)
Walk the city's main artery from the square past markets and monasteries.
Shopping and Markets
- Narantuul Market (Bayanzurkh)
The sprawling Black Market, for felt boots, ger furniture, saddles and everything in between. Watch your pockets. - State Department Store (Chingeltei)
The landmark Ikh Delguur, with a top floor of cashmere, felt and souvenirs under one roof. - Gobi Cashmere Factory Store (Khan-Uul)
The flagship store of Mongolia's best known cashmere brand. - Mercury Market (Sukhbaatar)
A busy food market for dairy, meat, dried curds and imported treats, loved by locals.
Restaurants
- Modern Nomads (Sukhbaatar)
A popular chain serving hearty Mongolian classics in a nomad themed setting. - Khaan Buuz (Sukhbaatar)
A simple chain for steamed buuz dumplings and khuushuur, just like locals eat them. - Hazara (Sukhbaatar)
A long running North Indian restaurant much loved by expats and locals. - The Bull Hot Pot (Sukhbaatar)
A popular hot pot chain where groups cook meat and vegetables at the table.
Cafés
- Tom N Toms Coffee (Sukhbaatar)
A reliable Korean cafe chain with good wifi and pastries.
Bars and Nightlife
- Blue Sky Lounge (Sukhbaatar)
A high floor bar in the sail shaped Blue Sky Tower with views over the square. - Ikh Mongol (Sukhbaatar)
A big beer hall with house brews, food and live bands in summer.
Events
- Naadam Festival opening ceremony (National Sports Stadium)
The national festival's opening, with wrestling, archery and a huge parade every July. - Playtime Festival (Gachuurt)
Mongolia's long running summer rock and indie festival, held outside the city.
Nature and Outdoors
- Bogd Khan Uul National Park (Zaisan)
One of the world's oldest protected areas, with forest walks straight from the city edge. - Manzushir Monastery (Tuv Province)
Ruins of a monastery in a quiet larch valley on the far side of the Bogd Khan mountain. - Sky Resort (Khan-Uul)
A ski and summer slope on the city's edge, fun for families.
Stays
- The Blue Sky Hotel and Tower (Sukhbaatar)
A landmark central hotel with views over the main square. - Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar (Sukhbaatar)
A polished high rise hotel close to the main sights. - Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace (Bayanzurkh)
A long established international hotel on Peace Avenue. - Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel (Sukhbaatar)
A modern hotel right beside Chinggis Khaan Square.
Places to Visit in Terelj
Nature and Outdoors
- Turtle Rock (Gorkhi-Terelj National Park)
The park's famous rock shaped like a giant turtle, an easy stop on any visit. - Khagiin Khar Lake (Gorkhi-Terelj National Park)
A remote glacial lake reached on a multi day horse trek. - Gorkhi-Terelj National Park (Tuv Province)
Granite tors, larch forest and alpine meadows within easy reach of the capital.
Arts and Culture
- Aryabal Meditation Temple (Gorkhi-Terelj National Park)
A hillside temple reached by a path of Buddhist teachings, with big valley views. - Chinggis Khaan statue complex museum (Tsonjin Boldog)
A small museum of Bronze Age and Xiongnu finds beneath the giant statue.
Things to Do
- Horse riding in Terelj (Gorkhi-Terelj National Park)
Short or multi day rides through larch forest and granite valleys.
Stays
- Terelj Hotel (Gorkhi-Terelj National Park)
A comfortable lodge with a spa, for a softer landing in the park. - Family ger stays in Terelj (Gorkhi-Terelj National Park)
Simple ger nights with herding families, often arranged through Ulaanbaatar guesthouses.
Places to Visit in Kharkhorin
Arts and Culture
- Erdene Zuu Monastery (Kharkhorin)
Mongolia's oldest surviving monastery, ringed by a wall of 108 white stupas. - Kharkhorum Museum (Kharkhorin)
Finds and a scale model of the thirteenth century imperial capital. - Tuvkhun Monastery (Orkhon Valley)
A tiny hermitage on a forested peak where Zanabazar meditated. - Ongi Monastery ruins (Saikhan-Ovoo)
The ruins of twin monasteries on a river, on the way from the centre to the Gobi. - Zayain Gegeen Monastery (Tsetserleg)
A temple complex housing the Arkhangai provincial museum.
Things to Do
- Turtle Rock of Karakorum (Kharkhorin)
One of the old stone turtles that once marked the boundary of the imperial city. - Phallic Rock (Kharkhorin)
A local curiosity said to keep the monks of Erdene Zuu on the straight and narrow. - Monument to the Great Empires (Kharkhorin)
A hilltop monument with maps of three Mongolian empires and a view over the valley.
Nature and Outdoors
- Orkhon Waterfall (Orkhon Valley)
A thundering waterfall in a basalt gorge, best after summer rains. - Khogno Khan Mountain (Bulgan Province)
Granite crags beside a strip of sand dunes, with a ruined monastery to explore. - Elsen Tasarkhai (Bulgan Province)
A narrow ribbon of sand dunes known as Mini Gobi, easy to reach from the main road. - Tsenkher Hot Springs (Arkhangai Province)
Soak in natural hot spring pools beside a ger camp in a green valley. - Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park (Arkhangai Province)
A big freshwater lake beside an extinct volcano you can climb.
Events
- Kharkhorin Naadam (Kharkhorin)
A local Naadam in July, smaller and more personal than the capital's.
Stays
- Family ger camps in the Orkhon Valley (Orkhon Valley)
Simple camps and family gers beside the river, often with horse riding.
Places to Visit in South Gobi
Nature and Outdoors
- Khongoryn Els (Gurvan Saikhan National Park)
The country's tallest dunes, which hum in the wind, with camel rides at sunset. - Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs (Bulgan Sum)
Red cliffs where the first dinosaur eggs were found in the 1920s, best at sunset. - Yolyn Am (Gurvan Saikhan National Park)
A narrow gorge that can hold ice into summer, home to vultures and ibex. - Tsagaan Suvarga (Dundgobi Province)
Eroded white and pink cliffs that look like a ruined city in the desert. - Khermen Tsav (Umnugovi Province)
Remote red canyons for those with time for a long detour. - Baga Gazriin Chuluu (Dundgobi Province)
Granite rock formations with a ruined monastery, a common first night south of the capital.
Things to Do
- Camel riding at Khongoryn Els (Gurvan Saikhan National Park)
Ride Bactrian camels with herding families along the foot of the dunes.
Arts and Culture
- South Gobi Museum (Dalanzadgad)
A small provincial museum of dinosaur finds and Gobi wildlife. - Khamariin Khiid (Sainshand)
A revived monastery and energy centre founded by the poet monk Danzanravjaa.
Events
- Thousand Camel Festival (Bulgan Sum)
A March festival of camel races and polo held by Gobi herders.
Stays
- Three Camel Lodge (Gurvan Saikhan National Park)
A well known eco ger lodge with traditional craftsmanship and dark skies. - Ger camps near Khongoryn Els (Sevrei)
Simple tourist ger camps a short walk from the dunes.
Shopping and Markets
- Dalanzadgad market (Dalanzadgad)
The place to stock up on water and snacks before heading into the park.
Places to Visit in Lake Khuvsgul
Nature and Outdoors
- Lake Khuvsgul National Park (Khatgal)
A deep, clear lake ringed by larch forest, often called Mongolia's blue pearl. - Uran Togoo Tulga Uul (Bulgan Province)
An extinct volcano with a crater walk, a good break on the road north.
Things to Do
- Horse riding along the west shore (Khatgal)
Day rides or multi day treks along the lakeshore from Khatgal. - Visit to Tsaatan reindeer herders (Tsagaannuur)
Long trips into the taiga to meet Dukha reindeer herding families, best arranged responsibly.
Events
- Khuvsgul Ice Festival (Khatgal)
Winter games, horse sledding and ice sculptures on the frozen lake in early March.
Arts and Culture
- Uushigiin Uver deer stones (Moron)
Bronze Age carved deer stones standing on the open steppe.
Stays
- Toilogt Camp (Khatgal)
A lakeside ger and cabin camp on a forested peninsula. - Ger camps of Jankhai (Khuvsgul west shore)
A string of lakeside camps up the west shore.
Shopping and Markets
- Moron market (Moron)
Stock up on supplies and dried curds before the lake.
Places to Visit in Ulgii
Events
- Golden Eagle Festival (Ulgii)
Kazakh eagle hunters compete with their birds each autumn near Ulgii. - Nauryz celebrations (Ulgii)
Kazakh spring new year with feasts, music and games in March.
Nature and Outdoors
- Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (Bayan-Ulgii)
Glaciers, high lakes and Khuiten Peak, Mongolia's highest mountain. - Potanin Glacier (Altai Tavan Bogd National Park)
Mongolia's longest glacier, reached on a trek from base camp. - Khoton and Khurgan lakes (Altai Tavan Bogd National Park)
Two long lakes with camping, horse riding and Kazakh herding families. - Tolbo Lake (Bayan-Ulgii)
A broad blue lake on the road east from Ulgii.
Arts and Culture
- Tsagaan Salaa rock art (Altai Tavan Bogd National Park)
Thousands of ancient petroglyphs, part of a UNESCO listed rock art site. - Bayan-Ulgii Aimag Museum (Ulgii)
Kazakh culture, crafts and wildlife of the far west. - Ulgii Central Mosque (Ulgii)
The heart of Kazakh Muslim life in the region.
Shopping and Markets
- Ulgii Market (Ulgii)
A lively Kazakh market for embroidery, felt and dried meat.
Things to Do
- Stay with a Kazakh eagle hunter family (Sagsai)
Meet eagle hunters and their birds at home, outside the festival crowds.
Stays
- Blue Wolf Ger Camp (Ulgii)
A well known Kazakh run base for eagle and Altai trips.
Places to Visit in Khovd
Nature and Outdoors
- Khar Us Nuur National Park (Khovd Province)
Wetlands and lakes rich in birdlife in the western basin.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Mary and Martha Mongolia (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
A fair trade shop of felt slippers, toys and crafts made by local artisans. - Rosewood Kitchen (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
A cosy bistro with seasonal, carefully cooked European plates. - Luna Blanca (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
A long standing vegetarian and vegan restaurant, a relief in a meat loving country. - Loving Hut (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
An inexpensive vegan cafe with Mongolian dishes made without meat. - Silk Road Bar and Grill (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
Grilled dishes and a summer terrace near the Choijin Lama Temple. - BBQ Chicken Seoul Street (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
A taste of Ulaanbaatar's big Korean food scene. - Café Bene Peace Avenue (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
One of many Korean style coffee chains that fill the centre, good for a warm break. - Millie's Cafe (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
A long running expat favourite for breakfast, sandwiches and cakes. - Sakura Bakery (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
A Japanese style bakery with breads and pastries locals queue for. - Choice Lounge (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
A popular lounge bar with live music in the city centre. - Fat Cat Jazz Club (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
An intimate venue for live jazz in the heart of the city. - Ulaanbaatar Spring Music Festival (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
Concerts and street events marking the end of the long winter. - Red Ger Art Gallery (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
A small gallery for contemporary Mongolian artists. - Ulaanbaatar Public Museum (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
The story of the capital from wandering monastery to modern city. - Lotus Guesthouse (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
A friendly guesthouse supporting a local charity, popular with backpackers. - Golden Gobi Guesthouse (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
A central backpacker base where many travellers form groups for countryside trips. - Gunjiin Sum (Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Terelj)
The ruined eighteenth century temple of a Manchu princess, deep in the forest. - Mongol Nomadic Camp eagle and archery demonstrations (Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Terelj)
Try archery and see traditional nomad skills near the park entrance. - Winter horse and camel races near Terelj (Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Terelj)
Small local winter events with races and ice games. - Fairfield Cafe (Tsetserleg, Kharkhorin)
A welcoming guesthouse cafe with home baking, a favourite stop on long drives. - Dalanzadgad market canteens (Dalanzadgad, South Gobi)
Cheap tsuivan and buuz alongside traders in the provincial capital. - Kayaking on Lake Khuvsgul (Khatgal, Lake Khuvsgul)
Paddle the calm bays in summer, with gear rented in Khatgal. - Khuvsgul Aimag Museum (Moron, Lake Khuvsgul)
A small provincial museum of local history and wildlife. - MS Guesthouse (Khatgal, Lake Khuvsgul)
A friendly family guesthouse in Khatgal with horse treks. - Khatgal village cafes (Khatgal, Lake Khuvsgul)
Simple canteens serving khuushuur and fresh fish. - Lake Khuvsgul sunset viewpoint at Khatgal (Khatgal, Lake Khuvsgul)
Watch the lake turn gold from the southern tip. - Kazakh restaurants of Ulgii (Ulgii, Ulgii)
Try beshbarmak, bauyrsak and milky tea in town. - Khoid Tsenkher Cave (Khovd Province, Khovd)
A cave with Stone Age paintings in a remote valley. - Mongolian State Circus performances (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
Contortion and acrobatics, a Mongolian speciality. - Black Burger (Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar)
A buzzing local favourite for burgers and shakes.